Editor's note:
The following is from TNH columnist Bobby Shmotz. I will let him write (occasionally) as long as he doesn't use it for shameless self-promotion.
Former Commissioner's Comeback Cursed?
It was a divided room last night at the McCormick Ice Palace. On one side there were rousing cheers for former Commissioner McGee in his continued effort to “find a team” for his TNH comeback. On the other side, there were those who thought he just wasn't ready to play.
“He’s a curse” mumbled player/coach/Hab lover Harpo. “He’s played for two different teams in the last two weeks and both have lost. We don’t want his stink on our bench.”
McGee was rather distressed by Mr. Harp’s comments.
“I’m just out there trying to do my best, and contribute to my team’s chance of victory” said McGee, in tears after being informed of Harp’s negativisms. Harp wasn’t fooled.
“He ain’t helping us. Tell him to take his floating routine to the other side. He’s in la la land if he thinks he’s ready for next week’s game.”
When asked for an opinion, Andrew Carter, captain of the White side had this to say:
“So far McGee has shown up on time, his sweater has always been pressed and he contributes valuable insights on the bench. Why only last night he was suggesting that we should pass to each other as we approached the goal in an attempt to put it behind the goalkeeper. However if I had to choose, and I’m trying to be fair here, I would say let Velagic have the cripple.”
And since Carter has the final say on additions to his squad, things do not look good for a White McGee. Will Team Red Captain Velagic (who, luckily enough has not seen McGee in action for the past two weeks.) come through for his old army mate.
“I hate to think that my chance of playing boils down to the Gooner’s opinion of me. I did after all steal his girlfriend back in 1983. Can we at least have a vote? It worked for me on Canadian Idol, it could work for me here.”
The final game of the season was a well played affair, with lots of scoring, skating and shooting on both sides. The Red bench was bolstered by the continued benevolence of White Team veteran Bugden who, for the 500th time in TNHL history agreed to “crossover”. It also benefited from Ronnie the K's replacement, rental goalie Dave, who was uncertain at times on some of the shots that approached his net. Especially the hard fast ones.
Highlights were abundant, including a brief scuffle between old dance mates P.Harp and G.Woolley in the Red end. The Pas du Duh made this writer think nostalgically about the old “He hooked me, he hacked me, think I’ll kill him” days. Current commissioner Chassé will have to get on this situation quickly or risk having it get out of control. No sense having two of your best players mad at each other during the play-offs. Come on girls, kiss and make up, it is after all, only a game.
Matty "the kid" had a strong game for the White team, as he (along with fellow forward Scotty D.) actually skated vigorously back to their own end of the ice to see what life on the other side of the blue line was like.
Red Squad veteran M. Kohn - rumoured to be heading to Europe to explore playing opportunities in the Moorish League - played valiantly, and for the most part kept to the centre of the ice, at one point splitting the defense and scoring on a breakaway opportunity.
Ref Boy Dicky D’Amico (rumoured to be the illegitimate son of NHL ref John D’Amico) made several questionable offside calls during the game, but his best was the first ever high-sticking call late in the game. Dicky D's call essentially "snuffed out" what appeared to be a Team Carter comeback.
“I calls them as I sees them” said Dicky after the game. “If they go in my team's favour, that’s just one of the benefits of being a player-ref.”
It looks like both teams are in good shape going into next week’s play-offs. However, there are still some gaping deficiencies in both line ups. Captain Carter has got to be worried as to whether Breakaway Boy Christen will return from his forced hiatus.
“ First my little Victor disappears, and now Christen takes a holiday? I don’t care what the big man is negotiating, we need some scoring.”
And how about the Red Side? Will Velagic’s (now affectionately know as the Gimper) playing time be decreased by having to play with crutches? Will Livesay cough up for that baby sitter?
And most importantly what team will McGee get to play for? Lets put it to a vote!
The story starts to unfold next week. Till then...
Keep your head up,
Bobby
After a 3 shot shift in the second period and a beautiful feed to Harp in the slot(another missed opportunity - you can lead a cheval to water....) I'll admit there was a glimmer of hope for the Commish wearing white in the 09 playoffs.....but that glimmer quickly faded when he made mention of his girlish score in a recent survey (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090331.wLgirlboybrains0331/BNStory/lifeMain/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail).
ReplyDeleteCurse or no curse he clearly belongs in red.
And here I was trying to share a "private" moment with you.
ReplyDeleteObviously there is no privacy on the White side.
If you can't respect my female side (intuitive=playmaking abilities) - how can you expect me to respect your leadership abilities.
p.s. What was your score? Tell the truth